The paper deals with the prediction of tunnel excavation material characteristics for hard rock TBMs. To determine the individual influence factors, cutting tests with a linear cutting machine were conducted. Very homogeneous Imberg-sandstone was used as sample material. The influences of the varied spacing, penetration and sandstone block sizes; moreover, the joint frequencies of the samples, were documented. The change of the excavation behaviour based on these influences, especially the influences regarding the grain size distribution, grain shape and the energy consumption was examined.